Up Close and Personal – New Pictures

In my mid-twenties I was in a terrific production of George Bernard Shaw’s comic play Misalliance. We played to large, enthusiastic crowds in a nice but not huge theatre (700 seats).

It’s set around 1918 and I played “Joey” a British aviator. It was a great, funny part – I got the girl in the end and got to deploy my British accent. Other than the accent it required no further alterations – I wore basic make-up – just enough so I didn’t wash out under the lights. No fake mustaches, no wigs, nothing special.

One day after the show I, along with several other members of the cast, now in street clothes, were outside chatting when an audience member came up gushing about how much she loved the show. She turned to each actor and complimented them specifically (even the guy who wore old-man make-up, a wig and fake beard but was now in jeans).

At last she turned to me and I prepared myself for the wave of praise that was coming my way.

She looked at me and said –

“Were you in the play?”

Um, yes, I played Joey, the aviator.

“Oh?”…she looked at me closely and I saw it all connect in her eyes and I again, prepped myself for praise.

“Oh! You’re much better looking from far away.”

In the ensuing years I’ve come up with several responses to that statement but in that moment I had none.

So when my agent recently requested new photos I thought “I wonder how far away from the camera I could get?”

OK, actually I wondered if I could get a two-fer. Some shots for acting and one to use here that would make my blog feel more personal and welcoming.

Now, actor headshots are supposed to make you look like potential characters (lawyer, doctor, guy next door) without locking you into anything too specific. So they aren’t totally ideal for this dual purpose but I’m wondering if you folks think one of these could serve here too.

We have Option A which I call “Trust me, I’m a lawyer”Option B which I call “Trust me I’m a lawyer heading to my yacht”or Option C which I call “I just rolled out of bed and why are you looking at me like that?”What do you think? Do any of these also say “listen to me! I know about Mod Podge!”

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About cheltenhamroad

I’ve been surrounded by amazingly creative people my whole life.
My mom can, and does, make anything. The family has on occasion speculated that she just whipped up my dad one day when she discovered some left over fabric and stuffing. My three sisters have mad skills ranging from needlework to cooking to out and out ART. My father’s desk when I was growing up had a model train set going around it, oh, and he made that desk-from scratch.
I’m the youngest and, as you can imagine, it’s a hard series of acts to follow. Truth be told, I’ve spent many, many years suppressing the creative instincts I learned at home.
But I realized (rather late in life) that few things bring me more joy than making and creating. For the longest time when I went to stores I didn’t think, “I want that” I thought, “I can make that.” And, with a deep breath and a leap, I’ve started on a very new, kinda scary path. I’ve given up my steady, dependable (dull!) corporate life to spend my days happily humming away in my garage designing, creating, painting, decoupaging and sawing and, since this blog will be an honest take on things, there is also a fair amount of tripping, spilling and swearing.
Through this blog I hope to share with you the struggles and (hopefully) triumphs of a very non-businessy business person. I also hope to make this blog a resource for people who like to work with their hands and who are, like me, always looking at things and thinking “I could make that!”
I’ve lived many places since I left Cheltenham Road; I currently live in Los Angeles California.
So, with this preamble- Welcome to Cheltenham Road! Please come on over and make yourself comfortable – the place is always open.

I liked the pictures but honestly should be something with more joy those pictures are too serious. I loved the second one but should be with the leather jacket like the third shot. But you look great!

They are all so good!! You are really photogenic – a trait I sadly did not inherit and so I envy it in all others!!🙂 The third does stand out as a good pic for a creative blog….with the other two I think I’d be wondering if that was you or a stock photo…and what do you really look like!! 😀 I suppose it’s judgey of me to think that a man in a suit wouldn’t Mod Podge…and of course he wouldn’t _in_ the suit….interesting the assumptions one makes from a profile pic!!! But the third gives a relaxed, creative vibe…like, “Hey, yea, I’m a dude, I Mod Podge, I distress, no big deal.” 🙂
P.S. My niece had that same conversation after a play once and the person who didn’t know she was in the play was a friend!!! It was a small role but still!!!! I hear weird stuff after shows…I don’t know what gets into people’s heads. Like you “are” the character and not a person??? People don’t think. P.P.S. I looked up the play to see if it would be right for our theater. The cast is too small but I’m going to keep an eye out for it, it sounds great!!! Thank you!!! 🙂

I love your blog and so look forward to your posts… they always make me smile! I think you are so brave for giving up so much to follow your passion. The photos all look great and option A would be great if you were contemplating heading back to the corporate world. Ugh! Option B would be good for your polo club release introducing their new international star player. In option C (at least in my mind) you look like a down to earth, about to burst out laughing, possibly somewhat unconventional artist, soooo….that’s my vote!

I agree with Phebe they are all great. I also agree that option C, being the most “everyday look” would be the best choice for the blog. I wish you were either smiling more or had more of a smirk (as we all know those are your 2 favorite expressions)…
Love Polly

Option C looks more like the funny, friendly guy I feel I know from reading your blog. The other two are very nice too, but for other purposes than your blog, or your Modge Podge work. Different photos for different purposes, depends on the “you” that you want to convey in a given situation.

Sorry I’m late to the party (I was on Tybee!!) I’m wondering why you always cut off the top of your head in photos? Is there a unicorn horn up there or something? To answer the question I pick number 3, however, I do think something with your smiling face would be better for blogging.

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Welcome to Cheltenham Road

Welcome to Cheltenham Road. I’m a fairly late-blooming but passionate crafter, builder and renovator and this is where I share all of my adventures and misadventures. To learn more about me and my growing business click on my picture. Thanks for stopping by.